Gulf Coast Offshore's season opener Boat Rally turned into an awesome exhibition of some of the best looking powerboats in the south. If you're into powerboats, and you didn't make it out, I bet you will think about showing up next year after seeing these photos.
We had a variety of boats and styles from a STV tunnel drag boat to an awesome pair of Nortech super boats. The three judges for the event had a very tough time with some of the decisions. Thanks to Don from Road Show and Tom with Sea Tow for their patience as judges. Along with judging the boats, we had the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the New Orleans Power Squadron assist in safety inspections. We had a number of boats get their safety stickers while they were on display. Thanks to Charlie Chapman of the New Orleans Power Squadron and Paul Lumkin with USCG Aux.
The winner of the Classic/Vintage award went to a classy 1980 28ss Cigarette owned by Jason Fowler. Jason has kept "Lucky Strike" true to it's classic Cigarette design. This rare 28 boast's a pair of 454's which in it's time made it cream of the crop. We hope to see more of these classic muscle boats in the future.
Winner of Best Sound when to "TMP Racing" of Total Marine Performance in Slidell, LA with it's recently acquired 38 Fountain. I am still not sure if the judges were listening to the radio or the engines, but I am sure they were both big hits. The engines are a pair of blown Total Marine Powers big blocks. The boat had just returned from radicalgraphic.com, where it received a custom paint job. I have to say I didn't recognize it when it pulled up. It is an unbelievable crisp design and could have easily won best paint at any show.
A 43' Nortech named X-cess Wetness, made it's third splash ever that day. X-cess Wetness is owned by Jeff & Sandy Jassby and is powered by twin 750's built by Total Marine Performance. Jeff & Sandy walked away with best Interior. The only way we can describe this boat is to think of a nicest Vegas suite and put that in 43' of speed boat and you have X-cess Wetness. Thanks to Jeff and Sandy for joining in.
The second Nortech was recently featured as the cover boat for Extreme Boats Magazine. Owner David Richard was excited to see Cyclone win Best Overall. The boat is a 36' cat hull with twin Total Marine Power 600ci quad whipple engines. Combined power is rated at 2400hp. Published speed to date is 164mph. Impressive for a boat with an ac generator, air condition, and a queen size bed. David is a long time boater on Lake Pontchartrain and says you can expect to see this boat at the poker runs in the area.
Our final award goes to Peter Tufaro Jr , with his 2001 30' Eliminator Daytona called Sneaky Sneaky. Peter received Best Boat On the Water. Peter was also last months Boat of the Month on Gulf Coast Offshore where we gave everyone a peak at what makes Sneaky Sneaky so sneaky. A pair of Whipple supercharged 500's gives this cat one of the best combinations of weight, size and speed we have seen. Sneaky Sneaky also won the speed trial competition at the Emerald Coast Poker Run in 2003. Peter took our GPS for a ride during the event and the picture says it all. Congratulations Peter.
Terry & Wendy Borne joined us with their 28zx Donzi "Looney Toons". The boat sports a pair of Mercury 350's and is very clean. Looney Toons is for sale, and you can contact Terry at 504-254-4305.
Other attendees, not in any particular order: Steve Lane - 32 Sunsation "Fast Lane", Mike Pitre 35 Top Gun, Andy Petie 28zx Donzi, Rob Sigsworth 32 Baja Magnum, Ted Fraiche 302 Scarab Sport, Donald Barkemeyer, 23 Caravelle, Tony 32 Sonic, Tom "Sea Tow" Vee Cat, Pat & Susan Lyles - 35 Sea Ray, Paul Dowling's STV Drag Boat, Craig 29 Baja Sun Seeker. Scott, Terry, Beth, Brandon, Laurie, Curly, Carol, Eddie, Steve, Don, The whole Total Marine Performance group, Ivy Trosclair, Heather, The Dock, Captain Ron and more.
And we apologize now for I am sure we forgot someone, who will politely let us know later.
Thanks to all who made it such a success.
Craig, Dave, and Pat
